CAPUTO: Lions' choice of Ansah doesn't make sense on paper

The process leading to the NFL Draft presents two different categories.

One is statistical evidence. The other is workouts to determine athleticism.

On stats alone, the Lionsí selection of defensive end Ezekiel Ansah with the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft Thursday doesnít make sense. He got started late in football, and didnít start at Brigham Young University until last season.

In regard to athleticism, itís was the ideal first-round pick for Detroit. The 6-5, 271-pound Ansah was the best combination of size, speed and strength, regardless of position, available in the draft. He has run the 100 meters in 10.9 seconds and gone under 22 seconds in the 200 meters. He is faster than most college wide receivers - and quite a few in the NFL, too.

His story is well-documented. How he came from Ghana to this country after converting to Mormonism. How he was strictly a student, whose first love was basketball. How he was cut from the basketball team at BYU, ran track and went out for football on impulse. Ansah needed help to put on the equipment at first. He was initially a bench warmer, but once on the field starred on special teams. Ansah took off when he became a starter.

At the Senior Bowl, he dominated against top NFL prospects. The Lionsí staff were his coaches there. They saw it up close.

For Lions fans, this sounds too good to be true - like some kind of weird risk.

It isnít. Itís not like Ansah hasnít studied the game. He has extensively - and picked it up quickly. With a full off season program and training camp, he should immediately play well and could star sooner instead of later. His work ethic and character - by accounts - are extraordinary.

Itís not like runs around without a clue. He is strong at the point of attack. Ansah played inside at BYU. He has versatility. This was a terrific pick.

Although I would have taken Barkevious Mingo, the defensive end from LSU selected the pick after the Lions by the Cleveland Browns, ahead of Ansah, most draft gurus had him rated higher than Mingo. Ansah was not a reach.

The Lionsí defensive coaching staff will be tested with his pick, however. They must get Ansah ready as soon as possible, and also come up with schemes that make best use of his unique skills.

The fact the top three offensive tackles were off the board before the Lions selected could be a blessing in disguise. The Lions need a defensive player with playmaking ability more than anything else. They took a player with their first-round selection, Ansah, who is very capable of filling the need.

The selection of Ansah is a sign the Lions have learned from their past mistakes - when they have ignored their defense often in the first round.

Offensive tackle Eric Fisher didnít become a Lion, but it isnĎt exactly a source of disappointment for Oakland County. The tale of Fisher becoming the first overall pick in the draft is a fascinating one. A two-star college recruit from Rochester Stoney Creek High School, Fisher vaulted to the first overall pick in the NFL Draft by Kansas City. He was terrific at the Senior Bowl. He was brilliant at the Combine. He was a superior player at Central Michigan University.

Stoney Creek was a building program when he was there - a relatively new school. Fisher still found his way to Division I college football. The Mid-American Conference is considered off the beaten path. But Fisher is proof, if he you have the ability and the work ethic, you will reach the top. Itís inspiring, really, for people in all walks of life when the odds are considered.

Although Ansahís journey to Detroit was different, it was similar to Fisherís in that he overcame the odds.

Weíll see if that continues in the NFL. But given the competitive character of both athletes, it would not be a good bet to count either out.

Pat Caputo is a senior sports reporter and a columnist for Digital First Media. Contact him at pat.caputo@oakpress.com and read his blog at theoaklandpress.com. You can follow him on Twitter @patcaputo98